Baby Products

When Andrew and I found out we were pregnant, I immediately started researching every product we would need for the baby. I wanted to know what we would need and wouldn't, and for the things we would, which ones should we get. Here's what's been crucial so far:

Second car- With me traveling all week for work and Andrew within biking distance of b-school, we had been living with one car for the 2 1/2 years we'd been married, and it had worked great. Then we put a car seat in our Subaru Impreza Outback. It had to go on the passenger's side with the passenger seat pushed up to an almost ridiculous level. With two people (or 4 a few times) + baby it was...crowded. Then try adding a dog. I think we lasted 2 weeks. We got a new car and my knees thanked me (since I was the one on the passenger's side).

Carseat- We got the Chicco Key Fit 30 with two bases. Thank goodness we got the 30 (meaning it goes up to 30lbs) because we had a big boy! He's likely to hit the normal max (22lbs) well before a year. It's easy to install correctly, and with two bases either one of us can pick Grayson up from daycare.

Pack and Play- We got a very simple model with out a lot of bells and whistles. I'm really glad we did because it is pretty easy to pack up and not that heavy. Also, I'm sure I would have used some of the extras, but we didn't miss them. Grayson slept in the bassinet attachment for the first 2 1/2 months in our room.

Swaddles- They recommend swaddling to help babies sleep better on their backs. The nurses in the hospital can wrap a baby up in any blanket, but for us it was difficult. The velcro swaddles were much easier, especially in the middle of the night!

Boppy- This was something I wasn't sure about, but went with. It's great- I used it to learn to nurse in the hospital and still use it for nursing now. It was also great in the hospital for Andrew and my parents to hold Grayson and have arm support - my room had a bench and a chair, but nothing with arms!

Stroller- I wanted something lighter, but still full featured. We ended up with one that worked with our carseat- awesome for the early days and for when G falls asleep on the way somewhere. We love it! For sun, we have this, and it works great.

Bottles- I wanted glass since it's better for freezing and non reactive (even though most plastic bottles are supposed to be much safer these days). I also wanted silicone nipples. We ended up with Dr. Brown's and have been very happy. They are supposed to reduce gas, but since they are the only ones we've had I'm not sure if they do or not. I was worried about them breaking and did a bunch of looking around for protectors. I had these for a week or so, but it took more arm muscles and time then I had to get them off and on. Then I found these. They are perfect- insulating and protecting!

Diapers-I really wanted to go cloth, but it was something I was really unsure if I could handle it. I'd heard horror stories, including one about a couple who lived off solar heat, built their own house, grew all their own food, etc. who just couldn't handle cloth diapers. There are so many types and options out there, and they all have people who love them and who hate them. I picked one that looked good and hoped for the best. We actually had a lot of trouble with them at first. The newborn size did not fit below his navel like it was supposed to, so we had to use disposables until his cord fell off. Then he grew out of the XS two weeks later and in the meantime they leaked a lot. I did a diaper trial, where I could try out a bunch of different types (amazing by the way, love the idea and the website we got them from). However, I didn't like any of the diapers.

Andrew and I had a long talk about whether or not we could do this. In a last ditch effort, I ordered the small size of the cloth diapers we had originally tried. I love them! They are great- they work just like disposables except you wash them. They don't leak unless I let them go too long, so now I just keep an eye on the clock and change him after two hours even if G hasn't asked for it. At night we use what we call the oompa loompa - a diaper cover and a stay dry envelope with two hemp inserts and one microfiber insert, and it lasts from 7 pm - 5 am. He looks a little bottom heavy in it, but it works. Also key to our success - a diaper sprayer and a good travel bag. I know a lot of people who use bum genius diapers like the one size, but we found them really bulky, so we went for the sized diapers.

Pump- I actually did no research on this. My workplace is pretty progressive and so to encourage women to come back to work after a baby they provide a hospital grade breast pump. The one I got works great so far- 15 minutes and I have enough for two feedings! From what I've read a good pump really be a hard thing to find, so I feel very lucky.

Hands Free Pumping Bra- I don't know who pumps and doesn't have anything better to do with their time then sit there and hold the containers, but I guess those folks wouldn't need this. For me, it's been a game changer. Pumping works best for me when I'm not too focused on it, and it's hard not to focus on it if you have to hold it.